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Happy Birthday
My birthday was a couple days ago, and even though it wasn't "the big one" everyone refers to (I won't turn 50 until next year), it reminded me how "big" all birthdays are-or should be. In fact, I think the older we get the bigger deal we need to make of our birthdays.
We seem to be obsessed with youthful good looks in our society-trying to defy our wrinkles and the normal laws of gravity by embracing Botox, body lifts and Barbie-doll physiques. While there's nothing wrong with a little "enhancement," instead of focusing on what we have lost, how about pausing to celebrate and honor the wisdom and growth that can only come through rich experiences and the passage of years?
But even as birthdays are worth valuing for each year's hard-won lessons, they also can bring up sadness, disappointment, and resentment because we don't always create the experience we would like-or worse, because we think we don't deserve what we really want.
In years past, even though I yearned for a special birthday, I didn't always know how to create it, and this inevitably lead to chronic letdowns. This year after a particularly stressful month, I was very intentional about my special day. I treated myself to a facial, scheduled a leisurely lunch with a dear friend, and enjoyed an intimate dinner with my partner, which he even prepared himself! I also allowed plenty of time for my normal yoga and meditation practice so that I could reflect on my life and myself over the past year.
Your birthday, like any celebration of your life, is an excellent opportunity to find your voice-to be heard, seen and understood for who you really are-and to choose one more year of insight with grace instead of grit by remembering how special you are.
So, Happy Birthday to you, whenever it is!
Warmly,
Diane
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